PIXE and RBS analysis of serum specimens of rats fed with tea extracts to ascertain trace element absorption

Abstract

Antioxidants, generally referred to as reductants, are elements or compounds that easily donate an electron to become “oxidized”, while oxidizing agents readily accept these electrons [1]. An antioxidant is thus a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules [2]. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), a unique South African plant from which herbal tea is prepared, and various other tea extracts are known to be caffeine-free, have an abundance of antioxidants (flavonoids) and to contain several trace elements, those elements in parts per million quantities, such as Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Na, Co, Mn, and F, to maintain general good health. These trace elements are essentials to biochemical processes of metabolism and are toxic when present in excess. Over the past decades, it has been shown that critical diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, associated with free radical generation and low endogenous antioxidant capacity lead to oxidative stress and cell injury. The aim this study is to evaluate whether feeding male wistar rats with antioxidants and trace elements contained in Rooibos extract will have an effect on the absorption of trace elements. Ten weeks old wistar male rats will be divided into five groups: Group 0 was the control group that was fed with standard rat chow. group A with water and rats chow given; group B with fermented Rooibos and rats chow given; group C with unfermented Rooibos and group D fed with green tea and rats chow given. Trace elements concentrations were determined with PIXE [3] and RBS [4] after initial treatment. [1] Atkins, P. W. (1996) The Elements of Physical Chemistry (2nd ed.), London, Oxford University Press [2] Vertuani et. al. (2004). Curr Pharmaceut Res., vol. 10(14), pp. 1677-1694 [3] Ryan et. al. (1995) NIMB, vol. 104, pp. 157-165 [4] Mayer (1999) Am. Inst. Phys. Conf. Proc., vol. 475, pp. 541-544 127